Swinside Weekend II

That’s the Swinside Hotel there – in the centre of the picture. With Swinside Farm B&B just across the road where we were staying. Latrigg is prominent in the background, dwarfing the town of Keswick, with the bulk of Blencathra and Skiddaw capped by cloud behind.

Sunday started much less promisingly, with heavy rain and strong winds. It had begun to brighten as we set off though and waterproofs were only donned in one of those farcical routines in which the rain stops at the exact moment when you’re kitted up and ready to start walking again. The climb up Rolling End was steep and I soon had my waterproofs stashed back in my bag. Just short of the top we stopped for tea. By now the sun was shining and we had found a sheltered spot in which to enjoy the improving views. (Well, to be fair…I didn’t find the sheltered spot, I staggered up to find everybody else enjoying the sheltered spot. Perhaps some recompense for the day before when I staggered up to the top of Dale Head to find everybody else sitting in the mist shivering?)

The Newlands Valley and yesterday’s route – Maiden Moor and High Spy on the left, Dale Head centre, Hindscarth and the long descent ridge on the right.

Our rest/stop was further enlivened by this Fox Moth caterpillar:

Which was feeding on the heather…

…or perhaps just enjoying the view like we were…

Our onward route took us over Causey Pike and then Scar Crags.

The ridge over Scar Crags was very exposed to the wind and the weather had deteriorated a little – whilst it looked fine back over Causey Pike…

It was a little more ominous ahead…

From the col before Sail, with some of the party facing very long drives home and some feeling the effects of yesterday’s walk (well I was anyway) we decided to turn back towards the pub and our cars.

An excellent weekend all round – fine company, fine food, fine weather, great walks. When will we be doing it again?

Addendum – Bagging stats.

Twelve Birketts over the weekend, eight of them also Wainwrights. That brings the Birkett tally for the year to 37 – more than twice my arbitrary target of 17. Can I grab 14 more before year’s end to top triple the target? The tension is palpable. (I wouldn’t hold your breath!)

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One thought on “Swinside Weekend II”

[…] After a bright start it turned into a very grey day and I don’t seem to have taken many photos at all. Fortunately there are many from 2009, when the weather also deteriorated, but on that occasion much later in the day. (That post here). […]